Discussion
Hi guys, I've got an early s1 and I'm interested in find out some of the history of the car. It's got twin bonnet pulls, normal speedo and rev counter. I've had the car a couple of year and vaguely remember being told it was one of the pre-production s1's. Any information would be gratefully received. Cheers😀
Hi Rhys, thought I would reply here as well.
My car is a June 88 car with build number 332 (last numbers of VIN) yours has build number 102. That certainly means it is older but probably still 1988 as the build number includes the Wedges which were also in production and the S was selling well.
One curious point, to me, is that the 9th digit on yours is a 6 while mine is a 1, I have no idea what that signifies!
It would be interesting to know which servo you have. Some of the earlier cars seem to have had a Cortina servo while mine has the more usual SAAB servo, later cars went to a Fiesta servo (there is loads of info on PH about this if you search correctly...which isnt the easiest thing in the world on the PH system! But someone would always point you to past posts if you couldnt find it yourself)
There are several earlier cars than mine represented on PH. I hope Glenrobbo will see this and advise further, Sunnysue also has an earlier car.
I guess yours will have crank, rather than cable, operated wipers. Which means you will have a problem with the passenger side wiper spindle mounting!
There are so many friendly and helpful guys on here who have rebuilt virtually every part of their cars that almost any question will be answered! If you are stuck, just ask. We are enthusiasts and want to see all those S's up and running. There are S gatherings (look at the Events wiki near the top of the S forum posts list) and trips including a Eurotour late May.
Hope to see you and the car around. Richard
My car is a June 88 car with build number 332 (last numbers of VIN) yours has build number 102. That certainly means it is older but probably still 1988 as the build number includes the Wedges which were also in production and the S was selling well.
One curious point, to me, is that the 9th digit on yours is a 6 while mine is a 1, I have no idea what that signifies!
It would be interesting to know which servo you have. Some of the earlier cars seem to have had a Cortina servo while mine has the more usual SAAB servo, later cars went to a Fiesta servo (there is loads of info on PH about this if you search correctly...which isnt the easiest thing in the world on the PH system! But someone would always point you to past posts if you couldnt find it yourself)
There are several earlier cars than mine represented on PH. I hope Glenrobbo will see this and advise further, Sunnysue also has an earlier car.
I guess yours will have crank, rather than cable, operated wipers. Which means you will have a problem with the passenger side wiper spindle mounting!
There are so many friendly and helpful guys on here who have rebuilt virtually every part of their cars that almost any question will be answered! If you are stuck, just ask. We are enthusiasts and want to see all those S's up and running. There are S gatherings (look at the Events wiki near the top of the S forum posts list) and trips including a Eurotour late May.
Hope to see you and the car around. Richard
Hi Rhys,
Welcome to the forum, where have you been all this time?
The best authority on the early S1 spec is Steve Heath, who wrote "The Bible" the TVR S Series manual, a must-have for all owners. 2nd Edition is the best one to get hold of.
According to Mr. Heath, the first production batch of 30 S's had the two bonnet releases, conventional speedo & tacho dials, a digital clock integral with the heater control bezel.
I have an extract from an earlier Sprint tucked away somewhere that lists the early build numbers. Richard Sails, the TVRCC Archivist can also supply known details if you are a club member.
What is the date of first registration of your S? Mine was Sept '87, and it was registered by TVR as a Tasmin, alongside a batch of actual Tasmins.
I do know that the first 30 S's were produced into 1988, before production was ramped up. I believe there was only one "pre-production" S, which had a bonnet shutline similar to the earlier 3000M / 3000S cars.
I think this was just a feasibility study, and was never an actual fully finished car.
Any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Cheers,
Glen
Welcome to the forum, where have you been all this time?
The best authority on the early S1 spec is Steve Heath, who wrote "The Bible" the TVR S Series manual, a must-have for all owners. 2nd Edition is the best one to get hold of.
According to Mr. Heath, the first production batch of 30 S's had the two bonnet releases, conventional speedo & tacho dials, a digital clock integral with the heater control bezel.
I have an extract from an earlier Sprint tucked away somewhere that lists the early build numbers. Richard Sails, the TVRCC Archivist can also supply known details if you are a club member.
What is the date of first registration of your S? Mine was Sept '87, and it was registered by TVR as a Tasmin, alongside a batch of actual Tasmins.
I do know that the first 30 S's were produced into 1988, before production was ramped up. I believe there was only one "pre-production" S, which had a bonnet shutline similar to the earlier 3000M / 3000S cars.
I think this was just a feasibility study, and was never an actual fully finished car.
Any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Cheers,
Glen
greymrj said:
Hi Rhys, thought I would reply here as well.
My car is a June 88 car with build number 332 (last numbers of VIN) yours has build number 102. That certainly means it is older but probably still 1988 as the build number includes the Wedges which were also in production and the S was selling well.
One curious point, to me, is that the 9th digit on yours is a 6 while mine is a 1, I have no idea what that signifies!
It would be interesting to know which servo you have. Some of the earlier cars seem to have had a Cortina servo while mine has the more usual SAAB servo, later cars went to a Fiesta servo (there is loads of info on PH about this if you search correctly...which isnt the easiest thing in the world on the PH system! But someone would always point you to past posts if you couldnt find it yourself)
There are several earlier cars than mine represented on PH. I hope Glenrobbo will see this and advise further, Sunnysue also has an earlier car.
I guess yours will have crank, rather than cable, operated wipers. Which means you will have a problem with the passenger side wiper spindle mounting!
There are so many friendly and helpful guys on here who have rebuilt virtually every part of their cars that almost any question will be answered! If you are stuck, just ask. We are enthusiasts and want to see all those S's up and running. There are S gatherings (look at the Events wiki near the top of the S forum posts list) and trips including a Eurotour late May.
Hope to see you and the car around. Richard
hi Richard, I'm definitely interested in trips out and gatherings!! I usually make it to le mans and I had a trip out to the Silverstone classic last year! thank you again for all your help. My car is a June 88 car with build number 332 (last numbers of VIN) yours has build number 102. That certainly means it is older but probably still 1988 as the build number includes the Wedges which were also in production and the S was selling well.
One curious point, to me, is that the 9th digit on yours is a 6 while mine is a 1, I have no idea what that signifies!
It would be interesting to know which servo you have. Some of the earlier cars seem to have had a Cortina servo while mine has the more usual SAAB servo, later cars went to a Fiesta servo (there is loads of info on PH about this if you search correctly...which isnt the easiest thing in the world on the PH system! But someone would always point you to past posts if you couldnt find it yourself)
There are several earlier cars than mine represented on PH. I hope Glenrobbo will see this and advise further, Sunnysue also has an earlier car.
I guess yours will have crank, rather than cable, operated wipers. Which means you will have a problem with the passenger side wiper spindle mounting!
There are so many friendly and helpful guys on here who have rebuilt virtually every part of their cars that almost any question will be answered! If you are stuck, just ask. We are enthusiasts and want to see all those S's up and running. There are S gatherings (look at the Events wiki near the top of the S forum posts list) and trips including a Eurotour late May.
Hope to see you and the car around. Richard
glenrobbo said:
Hi Rhys,
Welcome to the forum, where have you been all this time?
The best authority on the early S1 spec is Steve Heath, who wrote "The Bible" the TVR S Series manual, a must-have for all owners. 2nd Edition is the best one to get hold of.
According to Mr. Heath, the first production batch of 30 S's had the two bonnet releases, conventional speedo & tacho dials, a digital clock integral with the heater control bezel.
I have an extract from an earlier Sprint tucked away somewhere that lists the early build numbers. Richard Sails, the TVRCC Archivist can also supply known details if you are a club member.
What is the date of first registration of your S? Mine was Sept '87, and it was registered by TVR as a Tasmin, alongside a batch of actual Tasmins.
I do know that the first 30 S's were produced into 1988, before production was ramped up. I believe there was only one "pre-production" S, which had a bonnet shutline similar to the earlier 3000M / 3000S cars.
I think this was just a feasibility study, and was never an actual fully finished car.
Any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Cheers,
Glen
hi Glen, ive got a copy of the bible but I'm afraid ive not had time to have a proper read yet. mine definitely sounds like one of the first 30, it was registered in January 88 and matches your description of the early cars. thank you very much for all your help its much appreciated. Welcome to the forum, where have you been all this time?
The best authority on the early S1 spec is Steve Heath, who wrote "The Bible" the TVR S Series manual, a must-have for all owners. 2nd Edition is the best one to get hold of.
According to Mr. Heath, the first production batch of 30 S's had the two bonnet releases, conventional speedo & tacho dials, a digital clock integral with the heater control bezel.
I have an extract from an earlier Sprint tucked away somewhere that lists the early build numbers. Richard Sails, the TVRCC Archivist can also supply known details if you are a club member.
What is the date of first registration of your S? Mine was Sept '87, and it was registered by TVR as a Tasmin, alongside a batch of actual Tasmins.
I do know that the first 30 S's were produced into 1988, before production was ramped up. I believe there was only one "pre-production" S, which had a bonnet shutline similar to the earlier 3000M / 3000S cars.
I think this was just a feasibility study, and was never an actual fully finished car.
Any questions, don't hesitate to ask.
Cheers,
Glen
magpies said:
Hi Rhys and welcome
my S1 is E reg April 88 registered as a TVR with no model
9th chassis number is a 4 with the last 5 numbers 19275
mine has an integral digital clock and heater controls (seized)
I've carried out some mods to mine
ahhhhh my last 5 numbers are 19102 and it was registered January 88. what sort of mods have you done? ive been thinking about a carb conversion?my S1 is E reg April 88 registered as a TVR with no model
9th chassis number is a 4 with the last 5 numbers 19275
mine has an integral digital clock and heater controls (seized)
I've carried out some mods to mine
rhysrwes said:
magpies said:
Hi Rhys and welcome
my S1 is E reg April 88 registered as a TVR with no model
9th chassis number is a 4 with the last 5 numbers 19275
mine has an integral digital clock and heater controls (seized)
I've carried out some mods to mine
ahhhhh my last 5 numbers are 19102 and it was registered January 88. what sort of mods have you done? ive been thinking about a carb conversion?my S1 is E reg April 88 registered as a TVR with no model
9th chassis number is a 4 with the last 5 numbers 19275
mine has an integral digital clock and heater controls (seized)
I've carried out some mods to mine
It had an expensive (good from a distance paint job, new roof and decent alloys to tempt me).I fitted a refurbished chassis, Cossy 24v, MT75box, 4.2 LSD, refurbished Bilsteins uprated springs etc etc - all in all a long list
I used to own a very early car, the VIN slips my mind at the moment (ETA VIN of 323 in 1987), and it had square door handle recesses rather than the more triangular types. I don't know if this is a feature of the first few cars or if it had replacement doors for whatever reason. The car was pristine so my guess is that they were original items. Does anyone else have them? It might be another way to identify the older cars?
Edited by Loach1 on Monday 15th February 12:08
greymrj said:
I see what you mean, never noticed that about the doors before. Mine certainly has a different, presumably later, profile:
This pic was taken just after I had fitted Mk1 MX5 mirrors, which gave the distinct advantage that I can now see behind!
This pic was taken just after I had fitted Mk1 MX5 mirrors, which gave the distinct advantage that I can now see behind!
I second that! Mx5 mirrors on mine too, main reason being the lack of vision from the originalsI never noticed the different door handle recess before either. My Austin has the triangular ones, despite being one of the early batch.
Perhaps there were two sets of moulds made independently at the factory with different recess styles. I wonder if there are any S's with one of each type
It wouldn't surprise me!
Perhaps there were two sets of moulds made independently at the factory with different recess styles. I wonder if there are any S's with one of each type
It wouldn't surprise me!
Gassing Station | S Series | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff